By Gabriel Agbonlahor

16th Aug, 2023 | 4:35pm

Agbonlahor: Tottenham 'will finish below 10th' in the league after 'devastating' development

Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted Tottenham “won’t finish above ninth” after losing Harry Kane on the eve of the new season.

The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed Spurs’ summer business hasn’t been good enough despite moves for James Maddison and Micky van de Ven.

Tottenham kicked off the post-Kane era with a 2-2 away draw at Brentford on Sunday (13 August).

Spurs’ talisman and greatest-ever goalscorer completed his reported £86million move to Bayern Munich on Saturday (12 August).

Richarlison led the line in the absence of the England captain, who notched 30 Premier League goals last season.

Spurs finished eighth in the Premier League last season and subsequently missed out on any form of European qualification.

Agbonlahor gave his prediction for the 2023-24 campaign – even with weeks left to run of the summer window.

He told Football Insider: “I don’t think Spurs finish above ninth.

“That’s not even me being controversial. 

“The top eight, how I think it will finish is – Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Man United, Newcastle, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Brighton.

“Spurs aren’t finishing above those teams, so they have to be ninth or tenth.

“They finished eighth last season, with Harry Kane who scored 30 league goals.

“Now Richarlison, who doesn’t score goals, is leading the line.

“Maddison and Van de Ven are good players, but it’s not enough.

“Postecoglou is a great coach, but he’ll be frustrated with losing Kane days before the season. Great coaches need great players and it’s devastating to lose him.”

In other news, Tottenham ready to accept Dier offer as signing plan revealed.